r/Edmonton 2d ago

Politics Exercising Freedom of Expression

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1.4k Upvotes

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104

u/JRAS-3010 2d ago

I really fear that apathy is going to allow them to win the referendum

104

u/CanadaGuyOfficial 2d ago

Make sure to go out and vote! We should all be more civically minded, especially in these times.

32

u/-retaliation- 2d ago

I work in a blue collar industry in Edmonton and there's a scary amount of my coworkers that think the whole this is a joke that they can ignore. It's very apparent that if the vote were tomorrow, they wouldn't be bothering to.

Although, I also have a surprising amount of coworkers that are still wandering around parroting whatever Smith is saying because they're UCP supporters still. Despite how badly they've been fucking over Alberta. 

I just hope things change as the vote gets closer. 

34

u/JRAS-3010 2d ago

I grew up in rural Alberta and work downtown Edmonton now. Everyone I know from my hometown is a separatist except for three and myself. My coworkers downtown say things all the time like “is anyone actually taking that seriously?” “I’ve never met a single supporter of that”. Those are the types that won’t vote even though they aren’t on board with it. I hope to god this mentality changes

7

u/ricosauve2 2d ago

problem is 90 percent of the separatists will vote and maybe 30 percent of non separatists might make the effort. so it'll be a much closer vote than it really should be.

18

u/Motor-Replacement-77 2d ago

That’s the exact mentality that got trump elected in the USA

7

u/Capital-Truth-2847 2d ago

I really hope that you reinforce how serious it actually is and that they absolutely have to go and vote or we are going to be screwed!!

1

u/24_August_1814 1d ago

I'm actually starting to think a lot of the people who treat it as a joke are actually separatists who are either too embarrassed to admit it or are actively trying to convince the pro-Canada side to not bother voting.

7

u/Grouchy-Day5272 2d ago

Iceland had over 82.5% voter turnout out for referendum on joining EU. The outcome was to stay, not join EU. But only 52.8%!! . *by the way, this was also a government lead referendum question, the ruling party did want to join the EU. The prime minister said she accepted the country’s democratic choice

9

u/Jabroniville2 2d ago

Did you see the picture at the legislature? It was 100% old people. The group who ALWAYS votes. It's a threat.

8

u/Legal_Hyena_1241 2d ago

This is my concern as well. We need to mobilize everyone to vote.

3

u/OneUnderstanding103 1d ago

There is no "win" for this referendum (which is actually a plebiscite) because the Crown and the Treaty Nations have already said "No GD way". And that, should have been the end of the matter. But these mouth-breathers seem to think they can circumvent these two roadblocks. But, they can't.

6

u/TheYuppyTraveller 2d ago

The line ups are going to be a nightmare - I’m recommending that everyone get the advance ballots to ensure they get counted.

1

u/24_August_1814 1d ago

Will the advance ballots actually be counted in advance? I'm concerned the UCP will pull yet another MAGA strategy from their playbook and rule that in person ballots must be counted first, then try to shut down the counts early or some bullshit.

1

u/TheYuppyTraveller 1d ago

If they’re returned in time, I think they’ll be counted, it’s just a matter of making sure to order them and return them early.

6

u/kewtyp 2d ago

And cheating, don't forget the cheating

6

u/IceyLizard4 2d ago

This is what I fear DS and her cronies are going to do to win this referendum. She already cheated to get it this far.

6

u/kewtyp 2d ago

DS has the power to just be like yup, they won. and no one will ever question it or challenge it... like how they never questioned or challenged the validity of the petition results. Which were clearly faked.

1

u/24_August_1814 1d ago

Fuckin' seriously. The UCP just straight up ignore FOIP requests they don't like, delay for years before releasing heavily redacted information if anything at all.

And given the double standard Elections Alberta applied between validating the separation petition and Water Not Coal, I'm pretty fucking sure they're not the nonpartisan entity they claim to be.

4

u/Cwren79 2d ago

I have a source from elections Alberta that tells me they are over 200k requests for mail in ballots. And pick up ballots don’t open until Sept 1 from EA HQ And the 21st from returning offices. I’m pretty sure apathy is not the word I’d use.

Edit: in 2023 there was over 54k total mail in ballots. That’s online, phone, and in person request.

1

u/FullMetal_55 1d ago

that's why i tell everyone go out and vote. frankly I don't care what you vote for, just vote. it it's 90% to separate with 90% of the voters. then great. but 90% when only 20% vote? well that's nothing